Level 2 ASPs


Level 2 ASPs install overhead or underground service lines between the electrical wiring on a Connection Applicant’s premise and the electricity network. This includes connecting service lines to the network and making the connection live.

  • Proactive discussions, engagement and insights from Level 2 Accredited Service Providers;
  • Critical information updates; and
  • Other useful and relevant information.

If you need further information or support, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au


Level 2 ASPs install overhead or underground service lines between the electrical wiring on a Connection Applicant’s premise and the electricity network. This includes connecting service lines to the network and making the connection live.

  • Proactive discussions, engagement and insights from Level 2 Accredited Service Providers;
  • Critical information updates; and
  • Other useful and relevant information.

If you need further information or support, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    ASP outages recommence across parts of Essential Energy

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    What is happening?

    Further to yesterday’s communication, Essential Energy would like to advise that ASP outages will recommence tomorrow 14th November 2019, apart from some fire affected areas.

    If customers had already been notified of their outage cancellation, Essential Energy will reschedule these outages. Please contact your Essential Energy Network Assurance Facilitator to obtain more information.

    As you can appreciate with the ongoing situation it has been difficult for us to forecast the impacts to our network, but we’re committed to ensuring we communicate these impacts as soon as we possibly can.

    Please communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation. We thank you for your patience and understanding, please also continue to make safety your priority during these difficult times.

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Update - Outage Cancellations across Essential Energy

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    What is happening?

    Further to yesterday’s communication, the latest forecasts from the RFS have indicated that today’s bushfire conditions are worse than predicted yesterday. The potential risks to Essential Energy’s network are at the high end of our predictions. We will not know the full impact on our network until at least tomorrow, with conditions expected to peak in the evening.
    To ensure the community’s safety and allow us to focus on the recovery effort, Essential Energy is cancelling all ASP planned outages for the remainder of this week, and until Monday 18th November at the least.

    There may be further impacts to next week’s outages as we gain more clarity on the extent of the damage to our network over the next few days. As you can appreciate it’s not possible for us to forecast what these impacts will be, but we’re committed to ensuring we communicate these impacts as soon as we possibly can.

    Essential Energy will reschedule all outages after consultation with our ASP partners once the current emergency situation has been managed.

    Please communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation. We thank you for your patience and understanding, please also continue to make safety your priority during these difficult times.

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Outage Cancellations across Essential Energy

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    What is Happening?

    Bushfires across NSW are continuing to cause devastation to residents with catastrophic fire conditions predicted for tomorrow, Tuesday 12 November 2019.

    The NSW Government has declared a State of Emergency for NSW the next seven days, the first declared since 2013 and a state-wide total fire-ban is also in effect.

    To ensure the community’s safety, Essential Energy is cancelling all planned outages for Tuesday 12 November 2019.

    Essential Energy’s network has been significantly impacted over the past five days with more than 70 fires burning across the state and initial indications that more than 400 power poles have been damaged. Thousands of customers in the MidCoast, Port-Macquarie Hastings, Kempsey, Armidale, Nambucca, Bellingen, Clarence valley and Ballina local government areas are without power.

    Essential Energy has employees embedded in the Emergency Operational Centres, working closely with the Rural Fire Service and other agencies.

    Text messages will be sent out to affected ASPs today informing you of the situation.

    There are likely to be further impacts as we move through this week and the recovery effort. As you can appreciate it’s not possible for us to forecast what these impacts will be, but we’re committed to ensuring we communicate these impacts as soon as we possibly can.

    Essential Energy will reschedule all outages after consultation with our ASP partners once the current emergency situation has been managed.

    Please communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation and we thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Cable Covers (Tiger Tails) and Fault & Emergency Work

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    What is Happening?

    There have been several instances recently where Level 2 ASPs, or in some cases unauthorised trade contractors, have fitted cable covers (tiger tails) to energised overhead service lines.
    As a result of further investigation, it has been identified that confusion exists as to who is authorised to undertake this task. The WorkCover Code of Practice (CoP): Work Near Overhead Power lines provides direction in relation to the implementation of control measures for unauthorised persons working near low voltage overhead service lines.
    Consideration should be given to Eliminating the hazard by deenergising the supply for the duration of the work, and where there is a danger of physical damage to the overhead service its temporary removal. Where this is not practicable, separating the hazard from the worksite may be achieved through the installation of insulating matting and tiger tails at the point of attachment.

    Essential Energy’s response

    Cable covers must only be fitted to energised service lines for the purposes of adherence to the CoP by electrically qualified Essential Energy authorised employees. ASPs and contractors are not authorised to carry out these tasks as this is not classified as Contestable Work, unless working on behalf of Essential Energy under the conditions of a contract can these be installed.

    A Level 2 ASP can however, de-energise and remove a service line for the duration of the proposed works, or fit cable covers on a deenergised service line for mechanical protection and visual indication so long as the covers are removed prior to the installation being reenergised.
    When de-energising a service line, the service connections at the Point of Common Coupling must always be disconnected and made safe. The service line should then be visually assessed to determine its condition. If it is not of sound condition or there are other factors preventing the service removal. The disconnected service is to remain in situ and covered with insulating matting and tiger tails for visual awareness and mechanical protection. Special attention should also be paid to protecting the consumer mains at the Point of Attachment.

    If the service line is deemed to be in sound condition, and providing it is firstly disconnected at the Point of Common Coupling, then disconnect the connections at the Point of Attachment, remove the service from the attachment, and carefully roll up.

    The completely disconnected service can then be secured where practicable to the non-trafficable side of the distribution pole or private pole at a minimum height of 4.6m. If this is not practicable or introduces other hazards, then the service should be removed and stored in a secure location ensuring no physical damage to the service is sustained.

    Before re-energising, precautions must be taken to ensure that the service and electrical installation are in a state suitable for energisation and that all required testing (e.g. insulation resistance, polarity, neutral integrity and phase rotation) has been satisfactorily completed.

    We would also like to remind ASPs are not to undertake any fault and emergency work on Essential Energy assets including services.

    What do you need to do?

    1. All concerns should be directed to the Essential Energy Supply and Interruptions group on 13 20 80
    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
    3. Click on the below link for additional information on Essential Energy’s website https://www.essentialenergy.com.au/safety/construction-safety

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Christmas and New Year Planned Outages & Contestable Works

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    What is Happening?

    To minimise the disruption to customers during the Christmas / New Year period, no planned interruptions with a customer impact will be scheduled from 20 December 2019 to 5 January 2020.

    Also Contestable Works will be closed during the same period with business resuming as normal from 6th January 2020.


    What do you need to do?

    1. Review your planned interruption schedule for the dates above and work with your nominated Local Depot Switching Resource to reschedule where required
    2. Minimal processing of emails/documentation or Asset Labels will occur from Contestable Works mailbox during the above mentioned period
    3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Managing returning of poles

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    What is Happening?

    There have been recent examples where some depots have been unable to take or manage poles from Accredited Service Providers (ASPs). In response Essential Energy’s Environmental, ASP Connections and Operations team have developed a solution which will help alleviate the challenges involved.

    Transfer of Ownership & Responsibility:

    • ASPs can now provide the Transfer of Ownership & Responsibility form (CEOF6139 Part A) to customers willing to take ownership of unwanted used poles.
    • The ASPs are to submit the completed form to the Depot Resource Supervisor, along with the Returned Materials Check List (CEOF2098), for certification and signoff.
    • Once the transfer of ownership is approved, the pole butt should be removed and placed in the pole butt bin located at the local depot by the ASP and the remainder of the pole left at the agreed location indicated on CEOF6139 Part A form.
    • ASPs are not permitted to retain poles or transfer them to third parties outside of the relevant customer. Where feasible, other third-party transfers are to be organised by the local depot once the poles are returned or otherwise by pre-arrangement.

    It is recommended that ASPs and Essential Energy discuss and plan the return or transfer of poles prior to the commencement of work, so any necessary arrangements can be made.

    CEOF6319 - Part A: Transfer of Ownership & Responsibility for Second Hand Poles can be located on Essential Energy’s Document Library.

    Please communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

    Further Information
    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    BetterConnect - Design

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    What's Happening?

    Over the last twelve months Essential Energy has engaged with ASPs extensively to understand the many pain points you have in dealing with our connections process.

    We are happy to advise that we have recently received approval to implement a pilot product called Salesforce to automate the core Contestable Design Processes. The success of this pilot will assist us in formalisation and implementation of a final solution.

    The project will automate the following processes:

    Request:

    • Design Information
    • Asset labels
    • Notice of Arrangement Only
    Submit:

    • Design Certification package
    • Easement Documents
    • Enquiry

    This automation will deliver a more efficient process with faster turnaround times, seamless collaboration with Essential Energy Design and Certification staff, and greater transparency of job status.

    This project is the first stage of a larger program of continuous improvement work planned by Essential Energy, with future stages to incorporate more of the Contestable Design processes, as well as construction, commissioning and inspection processes.

    Implementation Approach

    We have engaged an external provider with significant experience in developing process automation. They previously implemented this same product for the automation of the connections process at PowerCor/CitiPower.

    We have also formed a Level 3 ASP Reference Group to work with us through the development stage of the project to ensure what is delivered is fit for purpose for both ASPs and Essential Energy.

    Communications

    We will communicate progress on the project to all ASPs on a regular basis. Once the system becomes available, we will look at running zoom sessions to demonstrate the system. This will be offered to all interested Level 3 ASPs.

    More information about the BetterConnect project will be included in the October 2019 ASP Forums - see Essential Engagement for more details on forum locations and timing.

    Training and Education

    We are in the process of developing our Training and Education program and will be working with the ASP Reference group to understand the best way to deploy training and education to all Level 3 ASPs.
    We will provide more details on this as we get closer to releasing the system to all ASPs.

    Questions

    Questions can be directed to: aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Essential Energy customer satisfaction research

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    As part of Essential Energy’s commitment to continuous improvement, we are seeking feedback from our customers and business partners about how easy we are to do business with.

    To facilitate this, we have appointed an independent research organisation, Woolcott Research & Engagement.

    Over the next few weeks, Woolcott may contact you to participate in a survey that will assess your satisfaction with our service delivery and operational performance. Your input is needed to help Essential Energy optimise customer outcomes and ensure our operations are aligned to your needs.

    Essential Energy encourages you to participate and we look forward to receiving your feedback.

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Safety Brief 878 - Essential Energy Aware Tape

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    What is Happening?

    Essential Energy have now adopted the use of plastic tape, called ‘Essential Energy Aware’ tape – which identifies that a site has been visited by one of our workers and that the asset/s have been ‘made safe’.

    This increases visibility for members of the public and to enable Essential Energy to highlight sites which have been assessed and made safe – prior to permanent repairs being carried out at the time, but instead will need to be re-visited at a later stage for the permanent repairs to take place.

    Safety Brief 878 – Essential Energy Aware Tape is being shared for your information and can be accessed from Essential Energy’s Document Library or Essential Engagement.

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Reminder Essential Energy ASP Forums October 2019

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    What is Happening?

    As part of our commitment to improve our relationship and communications with ASPs, Essential Energy
    are holding the next round of forums. The purpose of these forums is for an ASP to come along and hear
    about the latest news in the ASP space and to ask questions or raise issues with representatives from
    various Essential Energy teams.

    Dates and locations of ASP forums:

    • Lismore Monday 14th October - Lismore Workers Club
    • Port Macquarie Tuesday 15th October - The Westport Club
    • Bathurst Tuesday 22nd October - Panthers Bathurst
    • Dubbo Wednesday 23rd October - West Dubbo Bowling Club (Club Dubbo)
    • Albury Tuesday 29th October - Commercial Club Albury
    • Wagga Wagga Wednesday 30th October - Rules Club Wagga Wagga

    Forums will commence from 5pm at the above locations, with light refreshments available. To determine
    venue sizes we would appreciate any ASPs who wish to attend complete a survey or email
    aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au with company name, ASP level, numbers attending, which forum you will be attending and anything you would like to see at our forums.

    Thank you to those that have already expressed interest in attending our forums, please be advise that if you are attending one or more of our forums we require notification, this will enable us to establish the validity of this forum. At this stage some of the locations have small numbers and may be cancelled.

    Brief Agenda Items:

    • Standards News
    • Safety Presentation/Learnings from Incidents
    • CCEW & NOSW Process Changes
    • Designer Platform Integration
    • Better Connect System Upgrade Project Update
    • Design & Certification Process Updates
    • Training News

    What do you need to do?

    1. Please complete the survey at engage.essentialenergy.com.au/ASP by first Signing In then clicking on your relevant ASP level, then go into Surveys & Forms
    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

Page last updated: 22 Nov 2024, 01:43 PM